Unique & Interesting

TCU No. 1 In Collegiate Baseball Top 30 Poll

The Horned Frogs’ only game of the week was a 1-0 win over Texas Southern. A 3-game series against Cal. Poly was cancelled due to poor weather.

TCU has a superb 1.27 team ERA with 57 strikeouts and 16 walks over eight games. The defense has only committed 4 errors and only allowed opponents 2 stolen bases.

In key series over the weekend, Texas lost two of three at home to San Diego, Rice split four games at home against Stanford, Oregon took two of three at U.C. Santa Barbara, South Carolina split two games against Clemson, Central Florida won two of three at home against Mississippi and Cal. St. Fullerton swept three at home against Baylor.

National Players Of The Week Named

The Louisville Slugger National Players of The Week turned in amazing numbers.

One pitcher fired a no-hitter, 4 other pitchers didn’t allow a hit in their outings, another struck out 11 batters in 6 innings while 1 hitter was on base 12 times over 5 games with 6 stolen bases and 8 runs scored.

To read the National Players of The Week and who accomplished these achievements, CLICK HEREand scroll down to the amazing achievements.

Lambert (Ga.) No. 1 In Collegiate Baseball Poll

With eight returning starters from last year’s national championship team, Lambert (Suwanee, GA) is ranked No. 1 in Collegiate Baseball’s 2015 National High School Baseball Pre-Season poll.

The Longhorns, 36-2 last season, finished at the top of the national poll after winning the 6A Georgia state title. The Longhorns won 29 games in a row before suffering its first loss of the season during the Georgia playoffs. Georgia plays 3-game series during its playoff process.

Four seniors and four juniors who were starters last year return.

Six players have either signed or committed to an NCAA Division 1 university and several others are going to smaller colleges.

To read more about Collegiate Baseball’s top 30 national high school pre-season poll,CLICK HERE.

2015 College Preview Issue Now Available

Collegiate Baseball’s Jan. 2, 2015 edition has just been published.

It includes an in-depth look at how the new flat seam ball will change college baseball. While it should add offense, it may also cause problems for pitchers in frigid weather.

Two special feature stories are offered. The amazing system of Virginia Pitching Coach Karl Kuhn is explored while a an in-depth look at how Head Coach Woody Hunt at Cumberland (TN) University has led his team to three NAIA titles and 1,452 wins in 33 years is also presented with his deep thoughts on coaching.

Plus, this special 2015 College Preview issue features 36 jam-packed pages full of information about the top teams and players throughout the USA from all levels of college baseball.

20 Unique Ways To Utilize Cell Phones In Coaching

Since the mid-1980s, cell phones have been widely available to the public.

As they have become more sophisticated over the years, they have turned into miniature computers called smartphones that have numerous software functions, e-mail capability and internet browser functions that have become an indispensible tool for coaches.

For the first time, Collegiate Baseball is exploring many of the technological advantages coaches can gain with smartphones.

Schreiber Discovers Breakthrough Technique

One of the most creative uses of cell phones is being utilized at Alvin Community College.

Jason Schreiber, assistant baseball coach at Alvin Community College (Alvin, Tex.), listened intently to a lecturer speak at a convention.

“That person said that we retain 10 percent of what we hear, 50 percent of what we do and 90 percent of what we teach someone else,” said Schreiber.

“A light went on in my head when I heard that. I was fascinated with the 90 percent figure. I wondered if my players might be able to teach me about certain baseball concepts they were having trouble with on the field which would allow them to learn concepts more efficiently. The big problem was that there was not enough time in practice to have my guys teach.

“Then it hit me that my guys could teach me concepts they were having trouble with via the video capability on their cell phones. Every kid has a cell phone with video capability.

“What I discovered was remarkable. Not only did I know for certain my players understood what we were teaching through these videos they made. I learned kids today take great pride in the videos they produce — so much so a player’s sense of urgency goes up dramatically when you have them teach a skill they do not perform well. Often the result is that player finally understands the concept and performs better on the field.”

Iowa Western’s Incredible Coaching Wizard

One of the most incredible stories in college baseball history is unfolding at Iowa Western Community College.

Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa near Omaha, this school has accomplished what many thought was impossible — three NJCAA Division I national championships over the last five seasons all under an amazing coach named Marc Rardin.

In the 57-year-history of the NJCAA World Series, Iowa Western is the only Iowa junior college ever to win this prestigious event and the first Northern District representative to win it all.

In 12 seasons at Iowa Western, Rardin has led the Reivers to eight NJCAA World Series, won 10 consecutive regional titles and eight Northern District titles.

Consider the tremendous challenges his teams face every season. Many high profile NJCAA Division I baseball programs offer 24 full ride scholarships for baseball. His program has the equivalent of 10 full rides.

No player in the last 12 years has been given a full ride, and typically he gives out 1/2 scholarships to his athletes. All outdoor activity stops for 3-plus months from mid-November through February as practices take place indoors because of bone chilling weather.

SPECIAL REPORT: Cardinals’ Potent Running Game

The University of Louisville has put up staggering stolen base numbers over the past eight years under Head Coach Dan McDonnell.

During the past two seasons, the Cardinals have stolen 150 bases (second nationally) in 2013 and 133 in 2014 (second nationally). In his first year with Louisville in 2007, his ball club swiped 153 bases (second nationally).

In six of the eight years, his teams have pilfered at least 89 bases.His tough-minded teams also refuse to allow pitchers to throw inside as his batters have been hit 100 or more times in five of the eight years and ranked first nationally in 2013 with 129 hit by pitches, second in 2012 with 115 HBP and sixth last season with 109 HBP.

Having more men on base and stealing efficiently allows his teams to have more runners in scoring position which has allowed Louisville to score over 400 runs seven of the eight years he has been with the Cardinals.

U.C. Irvine’s Gillespie Explains How To Stop Stealers

With the home run becoming increasingly rare in college baseball, the running game on offense is more important than ever.

In 2010, the year prior to BBCOR bats being mandated for use by college programs, NCAA Division I programs averaged 0.94 home runs per game, according to the annual statistics’ trends compiled by the Association.In 2011, that average dropped nearly in half to 0.52 with the new bats in use.

The last two years, Division I teams have averaged 0.42 home runs per game in 2013 and 0.39 in 2014 — the lowest home run numbers in over 40 years.

Programs which are adept at stopping the running game of opponents have a big advantage when it comes to winning in today’s game.Few coaches in college baseball have the track record that U.C. Irvine Head Coach Mike Gillespie has when it comes to shutting down base stealers.